EU Climate Change Strategy and Sustainable Tourism

2026-07-22

Tourism is a significant industry for both EU and Turkey and plays a significant role in generating foreign exchange, providing employment, and fostering socio-cultural interactions. However, these benefits also bring about some costs, particularly in the case of carbon emissions and climate change. Turkey as an EU associate candidate country, experiencing rapid tourism growth has also recently recognized the importance of sustainability and climate actions in tourism and their impact on natural and cultural heritage. Despite the debates on climate change and tourism among policy makers, there is a need to create awareness regarding EU policies and strategies on climate change among tourism stakeholders in Turkey and third countries. CLIMATOUR is to be a primary initiative towards this gap by integrating EU Climate Strategies to Sustainable Tourism Policies in Turkey and beyond. The project includes learning activities for graduate students on Climate Change and Tourism and utilizes innovative teaching methods, including case studies, gamified activities, guest speakers, field visits and voluntary work to enhance research capacities and foster dialogue between students, academia, civil society, media and various other stakeholders on EU policies as per JMO objectives. The digital platform and social media integrated to project website facilitates online learning. Istanbul University, with its extensive reach, infra-structure and influence, is also an ideal host for the project, aiming to impact future climate and tourism policy and decisions. Various events, seminars, workshops, and an international conference will also be organized aligning stakeholders in Turkey with EU values and policies. CLIMATOUR will also produce various research outputs including an edited book and a scientific article. These activities will be supported by an international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral project team and further multiplying the quality and effectiveness of the module.

Turkey

2025-11-01